We'll keep this short and simple (which should be easy as the process is simple). PokerTracker 4 (PT4) is an essential tool for anyone who's serious about winning, and we are going to help you set it up. It might seem overwhelming for newbies to the software, but don't panic. PokerTracker is well worth getting: it's great for tracking, stats and analysis, as well as being well worth the price tag. If used properly, it should pay for itself. Read more in our comprehensive Poker Tracker 4 review.

If this is your first time using any version of PokerTracker, along with the software you will need to install and configure something called "PostgreSQL Database". The installation is standard and is required to use PT4. If you haven't before, you'll also be walked through creating your first PokerTracker database.

1The Set-Up

So! Let's get to the good stuff...keep in mind that all of this info is also available on PokerTracker 4's quick start guide. If you have any problems, you can also search their forums, make a new thread in their support section, or contact their excellent customer service who will help you out.

PokerTracker 4 is compatible with a large number of poker sites and networks. Let's walk through setting up PokerTracker and PostgreSQL with PokerStars as an example:

First we'll tell PokerStars that we want them to save our hand histories on our hard drive.
Open PokerStars, go to the /Options/ menu and click on /Instant Hand History Options/.
Check the /Save My Hand History/ checkbox, and make sure the save directory says /C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\PokerStars\HandHistory\.
We have set ours so that it saves the HHs for 30 days just to make sure we have them on our hard drive.

2The Database

Now on to setting up the PostgreSQL database server, which is really straight-forward after we get the configurations done. This is the database that stores your hands and statistics for PT4 to then analyze.
Unless you are wanting to use PT4 for some particular reason and you know what you are doing, we recommend just using PostgreSQL's default settings. These default settings should auto-populate like so if PT4 prompted the installation for you:

Once you click /Install/, your database should be connected with PokerTracker 4. You will then need to create your PT4 database. Again, we recommend just using the default settings, unless you changed them in the previous step. Here, you will also have the opportunity to connect to an existing database by checking the designated box and entering the appropriate information.

3The Connection

Next, you will go through the set up assistant, which will set up PokerTracker 4 for you, configure itself to the currencies and poker sites you use the most, and allow you to convert old databases from PokerTracker 3 and similar programs.

If you are a PokerStars user, here is where you would do that:

When you click next, here you will be able to import your old hand information from PokerStars (or any other site you use).
After that, you are almost finished. You'll have the option to customize your deck theme if you like, then you will click the Finish button to import all your hand histories.

Now, you can actually start playing and using PokerTracker! Whenever you begin a poker session, be sure to start PokerTracker 4. Within the program, then click /Get Hands While Playing/.

There is also the option here to upload hands from your drive as well as from poker tournament summaries sent via email.

Once your hands are imported, you'll be able to view all the hands you have played so far that day and all hands from the tables you are currently on:

4The Fun

When you clicked /Get Hands While Playing/ earlier, your Heads-Up Display (HUD) should have automatically launched. The HUD should appear in the corner of your table:

There will also be two new buttons at the top of your table. Clicking these presents you with a variety of options which will allow you to pull up your hand histories, change the HUD's display, and more.

Once you've been playing a while and have a nice hand history built up, you can then view your detailed statistics (for both cash and tournament games), analyze your weak spots, pull graphs and charts related to your performance, and much more.

The features found within PokerTracker 4 are endless, and way more than we could ever begin to list here, so play around and discover what statistics are most valuable to you. Warning: you may find it impossible to go back to playing online poker without it!

Create a new PokerTracker data (or link to an old one) and connect it to your PostgreSWL database.your new PokerTracker database.

Use the setup assistant to select your currency and poker site(s) of choice.

Whether during a tournament or ring game, open Poker Tracker, start your auto-import of hand histories and begin to play! Gain valuable insights about your habits, strengths, and weaknesses with the endless analysis options and tools.

If you run into any problems during installation, keep in mind that the folks at PokerTracker offer a great installation guide as well as customer support.